German Wine “Rover”

Vineyards built on dizzyingly steep hillsides have been a part of German viticulture for centuries, but high labor costs are threatening them with extinction. A group of university engineers is hoping their new technology will save the industry.

The prototype looks like a cross between a NASA moon rover and Fred Flintstone's foot-powered car. It has four to six aluminum rollers covered in blue pointed knobs, a GPS locator and a remote-controlled steering system. This is the vehicle designed to climb up, down and around Germany's steepest vineyards, without the help of a driver.